Fuel Smarts

Southern California Ports Plan for Zero-Emission Trucks

Updated The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have released a draft of a proposed 2017 Clean Air Action Plan Update, outlining a new set of aggressive near-term and long-term strategies to reduce air pollution from the ports.

The draft plan lays out how the ports plan to reach emissions targets that include the goal of transitioning to a zero-emission drayage fleet by 2035.

The draft 2017 CAAP sets new clean air goals focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Preliminary analysis on implementing the 2017 CAAP estimate the costs at $7 to $14 billion.

Recent emissions inventories show that the two ports have already surpassed the 2023 diesel particulate matter and sulfur oxide reduction targets and are close to the NOx goal.

“These ports are going where no port has gone before,” said Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles executive director. “Based on what we’ve already accomplished to promote healthy, robust trade through our gateway, we’re ready to make history again, looking at a new array of technologies and strategies to further lower port-related emissions in the decades ahead.”

The 2017 draft was drawn up using feedback from two years of dialogue with industry, environmental groups, regulatory agencies, and neighboring communities. The ports conducted small group meetings and large public workshops before detailing its goals, priorities and strategies for public review and comment.

Since then, the ports have held more than 50 stakeholder meetings and another community workshop leading into the release of the draft 2017 CAAP Update. Updates to the plan include local, regional, state and federal standards and regulations. It also aligns with targets of state and local leadership identified in the 2016 CAAP and the joint zero emissions initiatives announced in June by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia (D).

“Working closely with all our partners has been crucial to our success," said Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach executive director. "That same collaboration went into the development of the 2017 CAAP and will be indispensable going forward.

“Since 2006," he added, "the Clean Air Action Plan has been a model for programs to reduce health risks and air quality impacts from port operations worldwide. We remain committed to being leaders in seaport sustainability.”

Weston LaBar, executive director of the Harbor Trucking Association, an advocacy group for intermodal carriers in California that serve the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, told HDT that HTA would review the new draft plan and work with the ports to "ensure that sustainability is not just implemented in the environmental sense, but also the commercial sense."

"It is important to set goals that are reasonable and attainable, and that we don’t saddle an industry that has invested billions of dollars in clean technology with a mandate that is not viable commercially or operationally," LaBar added.

"There are still many questions regarding zero-emissions truck technology. It is important that the ports ensure the final plan paves a path forward for affordable and efficient movement of cargo through the San Pedro Bay Complex first, and that sustainability is a byproduct of a healthy supply-chain in the region.”

The draft 2017 CAAP is broken down into four major categories that each address major areas to target to reach the emissions goals.

Under the four categories, the near-term and long-term strategies include:

Clean Vehicles, Equipment Technology, and Fuels

Starting in 2018, phase in clean engine standards for new trucks entering the port drayage registries followed by a truck rate structure that encourages the use of near-zero and zero-emission trucks, with the goal of transitioning to a zero-emission drayage fleet by 2035.

Reduce idling and support the state’s efforts to transition terminal equipment to zero emissions by 2030.

Update the Vessel Speed Reduction Program, expand the use of state-approved alternative technologies to reduce at-berth emissions, and encourage clean technology upgrades on ships to attract the cleanest vessels to the San Pedro Bay ports.

Freight Infrastructure Investment and Planning

Expand use of on-dock rail, with the long-term goal of moving 50% of all inbound cargo leaving the ports by rail.

Develop charging standards for electric cargo-handling equipment.

Freight Efficiency

Develop a universal truck appointment system for the entire complex with the goal of minimizing truck turn times.

The city of Stockholm, Sweden, banned trucks from making deliveries at night to reduce noise levels. But a new pilot program will test quieter hybrid trucks for overnight deliveries to McDonald's restaurants in the area.

Mike Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, sat down and talked to HDT about what the last 10 years have been like showcasing and validating new trucking technology and what he thinks the next decade will bring.